Jefferson County Board approves settlements, staffing changes, contracts and grants; sets June 2 CDBG hearing

The Jefferson County Board of Legislators held a regular session on May 5, 2026, approving a slate of resolutions that included two legal settlements, personnel changes tied to new state mental-health funding, several vendor and intergovernmental agreements, multiple grant acceptances, and a revised date for the Community Development Block Grant public hearing.

The most prominent votes included a $62,500 settlement in the civil suit Roberta F. Filkins v. Jefferson County alleging personal injuries tied to an accident involving Deputy Sheriff Joseph Lees, and a $13,000 settlement of an employment discrimination complaint by Dylan Myles Gonzalez before the New York State Division of Human Rights. Legislator Daniel R. McBride moved the Filkins resolution; Legislator Robert D. Ferris moved the Gonzalez resolution. Both measures were seconded and approved with all members present voting aye.

The Board also approved Resolution No. 145 to create an Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) Coordinator position and reclassify the county’s Mental Health Coordinator to Deputy Director of Community Services. The change is funded by $103,820 in New York State mental health aid, with the budget amended to add specific salary and benefit line items tied to the new funding.

Other actions included authorizing a Master Services/initial project agreements with Quantify Consulting LLC for data analytics and automation work (phase-one FOIL Process and Financial Reporting Automation contracts of $3,000 and $3,600 respectively), and approving a multi‑year agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc. to equip the Probation Department with body‑worn monitoring services at up to $22,989.20 per year (totaling $114,946 over five years).

The Board accepted several grants and awards: Hazardous Materials Targeted Grant funds (totaling $76,991 added to the 2026 budget) for regional hazmat equipment and communications; a $20,000 STRIVE grant for intimate partner violence reduction for the Sheriff’s Office; up to $35,000 in IIDEP funding for ignition‑interlock enforcement overtime; and a small insurance recovery appropriated to vehicle repairs. The Board also authorized agreements to house incarcerated individuals in Seneca County at $110 per day, amended ARPA subrecipient agreements to allow reallocation of unused funds and up to a 10% administrative fee for subrecipients (JCLDC/JCIDA), and authorized engineering and planning contracts for bridge and highway projects.

Votes at a glance: Resolution No. 139 — Filkins settlement ($62,500) approved; Resolution No. 140 — Gonzalez settlement ($13,000) approved; No. 141 — Deputy Sheriff’s Association employment agreement approved; No. 142 — Quantify Consulting agreements (initial phase funding $3,000 and $3,600) approved as amended; No. 143 — County assessment services and appointments approved; No. 144 — ARPA agreement amendments with JCLDC/JCIDA approved; No. 145 — AOT Coordinator established and budget amended ($103,820 state aid) approved; No. 146 — Sports Fishery Advisory Board appointments approved; No. 147 — Buildings & Grounds insurance recovery ($4,936.49) recognized and appropriated; No. 148 — DHSES hazmat grants accepted and budget amended ($76,991) approved; No. 149 — Barton & Loguidice contract (≤ $10,000) approved (one abstention by Legislator Ferris); No. 150 — Bernier, Carr & Associates agreement (≤ $35,000) approved; No. 151 & No. 152 — capital/budget transfers for county routes and Weaver Road approved; No. 153 — application for Ag & Farmland Protection Plan update approved; No. 154 — bus advertising agreements authorized; No. 155 — CDBG housing guidelines adopted; No. 156 — CDBG public hearing date amended to June 2, 2026 (6:00 p.m., Board Chambers) and approved; No. 157 — Axon agreement for Probation body‑worn monitoring approved; No. 158 — $50 donation to STOP‑DWI accepted; No. 159 — IIDEP agreement authorized (up to $35,000) approved; No. 160 — Sheriff vehicle insurance recovery recognized; No. 161 — housing agreement with Seneca County approved ($110/day); No. 162 — STRIVE grant acceptance ($20,000) and budget amendment approved; No. 163 — Leading in Lead Prevention contract period extended to June 30, 2026; No. 164 — OCFS resource allocation amendment and youth program reallocation approved.

Board members offered brief comments after business: Legislator Montigelli reported attending a well‑attended public sector health fair that included health information and lunch, and Legislator Nabywaniec commended recent recognitions of county employees at the American Legion Law and Order Night. The meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m.; the minutes were signed by Clerk Ryan Piche.

Why it matters: The settlements conclude two pending legal matters and fix county financial exposure; the AOT staffing and state aid allocation move county mental‑health operations toward required state oversight and implementation steps; the grants and contracts fund public‑safety equipment and planning work and adjust capital funds for road and bridge projects that affect county infrastructure and public services.

What’s next: The Board set a public hearing for the 2026 CDBG process on June 2, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Chambers. Several contracts and grant awards require County Attorney review and subsequent implementation steps by county departments.